Nursing Students General Students
Published Dec 29, 2004
donsterRN, ASN, BSN
2,558 Posts
Hi everyone. I've been a lurker for some time now, but never thought I'd have anything to talk about, until now. I just received an acceptance letter from a diploma program I am very interested in. This really is a huge relief for me (mostly because the wait is over), but now that I'm "in", I'm feeling all sorts of things. I'm feeling strangely apprehensive and nervous; maybe even a little scared. Maybe it's all part of the excitement, I don't know. I'm 47 years old, and nursing will be a new career for me. I'm a good student, generally, so I don't think I'm afraid of school or studying. I've wanted this for so long, and now that it looks like I'll be able to work on it, I'm a mass of worry! Common? Anything you can relate to? How did you handle it?
I'm happy to finally be able to introduce myself and say hello. Thanks for any and all comments. Good luck to you all in your endeavors! Be well.
Altra, BSN, RN
6,255 Posts
I've wanted this for so long, and now that it looks like I'll be able to work on it, I'm a mass of worry! Common? Anything you can relate to? How did you handle it?
Welcome Don3218, and congratulations on your acceptance.
I think the worry comes with the territory, particularly for career-changers. It's not every day that you come to a life-changing decision that sometimes feels equivalent to stepping off the edge of a cliff.
What's your background? What did you do before?
Welcome and good luck. :)
Jen2
931 Posts
Welcome and congrats! I know exactly what you are feeling. I found this website the night I recieved my acceptance letter at about 3:00am while surfing the web. I was so excited I couldn't sleep. I am now addicted to this website. After I first found it, I think I was on it for about 8 hours. I just wish I had more time to post during the semester, but now that I am on break, I'm here all the time.
My best advice is to take it one day at a time and realize that it will be all worth it in the end. This board is a great place for support and information. Best of luck to you. Keep posting.
Paleobug
356 Posts
Congratulations. I myself am a 45 year old nursing student who just finished my first semester.
stressgal, RN
589 Posts
Congrats! :balloons:
Any change is scary as well as exciting. Hang on you are about to embark on a wonderful (and sometimes stressful) journey. Stop by often and let us know how it is going.
Tweety, BSN, RN
34,333 Posts
Welcome to the website and good luck to you! Congratulations!
mauser
156 Posts
Welcome Don!
I too am a 47-year-old nursing student - just fininished my first semester - and I work full time.
Advice? Naw. You make it work your way and you will be fine. You already know what your BIG goal is. Then set smaller goals and let us know when you reach them - we will cheer with you. Feel free to mention your "not so good" moments - we willl "hug" you - cus we have been there, too.
Best of luck.
maire, ASN, RN
1,173 Posts
Congo rats and welcome to allnurses! :) Best of luck to you!
kcrn2b
26 Posts
You took the words right outta my mouth. I have also been "working" towards the goal of my RN degree for, embarrassingly, about 14 years just taking one prereq and coreq a semester and then a few semesters off when kid stuff and work were too much to balance all well and now here I am. I start in January to an ADN program at our local community college where I have been on the wait list for 3 years. I am now 12 days and counting away from attempting to accomplish the very goal I have been working at forever and I am terrified. When you read some of the posts here from very smart students who have not been able to make it it really scares me. Luckily, there is lots of good advice about just taking it one day at a time and that's what I plan on doing, one test at a time.
Congratulations on getting in to your program! I am 43yo and I can relate to all of the other posts about going back to school again after 40. We are older and, hopefully, a little wiser. Good luck to all!!
jenrninmi, MSN, RN
1,975 Posts
Hi there! Congratulations!! What you're feeling is totally normal. I think most of us felt the same way when we were accepted - excited but scared...
Keep coming back here...learning what other students' experiences may put your mind at ease.
HannasMom
303 Posts
Wecome Don and congratulations!
jschut, BSN, RN
2,743 Posts
Welcome and congratulations!